The Long Road Ahead: C34

Chapter: 34 | Bitter Gourd Soup

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Bitter Gourd Soup

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This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{Xiao Ning couldn't sleep. Sitting up, he began typing a message: Just forget about the money, okay? There's no need.}
After work, Xiao Ning found himself inexplicably resistant to the idea of heading home immediately after work, so he went straight to the supermarket. While looking up ingredients online, he picked them up to buy them. He was planning on making a pot of lotus leaf and winter melon duck soup, but once he saw the bitter gourd, all of a sudden, he changed his mind.

Xiao Ning couldn't sleep. Sitting up, he began typing a message: Just forget about the money, okay? There's no need.

_{Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"}"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"

_{But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset.}
In the end, bitter gourd, spareribs, and some other ingredients were in the bag he carried back to his apartment.

But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset. Like this, the actions of others will never go over what he had budgeted, so how could he ever feel aggrieved?

_{Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."}A wave of dejection and self-loathing flooded him, and in an instant, he found everything was uninteresting. From that moment onwards, he did not again mutter a word. Like this, he sat on the sofa idling away until it was almost midnight. The basketball game was finished by then, and Shan Haiming put down the remote and took out his phone. "I'm not driving, come pick me up."

Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."

_{"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.}Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"

"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.

_{For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.}His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?

For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.

_{"Don't forget to send it to me." With that, Shan Haiming was gone.}
Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.

"Don't forget to send it to me." With that, Shan Haiming was gone.

_{"Plans?" Xiao Ning's scattered thoughts were brought back by this question.}"Oh, okay..." Xiao Ning couldn't come up with anything to say.

"Plans?" Xiao Ning's scattered thoughts were brought back by this question.

_{Did Ye Zixin leave?}
He was lounging on the sofa, a hand petting Xiaohei on the head, and on the coffee table beside him, were drinks and food. He seemed to have made himself at home. Xiaohei tried to run away a few times but was held so firmly by him it could only nurse its grievances and stay on that detestable human's body wearing a face completely covered in displeasure.

Did Ye Zixin leave?

_{Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?.}A wave of dejection and self-loathing flooded him, and in an instant, he found everything was uninteresting. From that moment onwards, he did not again mutter a word. Like this, he sat on the sofa idling away until it was almost midnight. The basketball game was finished by then, and Shan Haiming put down the remote and took out his phone. "I'm not driving, come pick me up."

Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?

_{Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.}"Did you not go anywhere else today?" Xiao Ning teased Xiaohei while glancing around the living room. Well, there doesn't seem to be anything broken, and it looks pretty clean. Maybe there wasn't any intense clashing.

Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.

_{And it was a skill he had learned well.}
"You're back?" Shan Haiming moved his long legs and relaxed his arms, giving Xiaohei just the chance it needed to launch a hurried escape to its master. "How can your cat seem so much like a dog?"

And it was a skill he had learned well.

_{"C-City, right?" Shan Haiming then added, "It's a nice place."}
"Did you not go anywhere else today?" Xiao Ning teased Xiaohei while glancing around the living room. Well, there doesn't seem to be anything broken, and it looks pretty clean. Maybe there wasn't any intense clashing.

"C-City, right?" Shan Haiming then added, "It's a nice place."

_{Xiao Ning still stood there, his eyes fixed on that now empty hallway. The sensation overwhelming him was not at all like having a bucket of cold water poured over him, but of having a lump of ice travelling over his tongue all the way down to his gut. It was a sensation that left even his heart feeling frozen cold.}
Did Ye Zixin leave?

Xiao Ning still stood there, his eyes fixed on that now empty hallway. The sensation overwhelming him was not at all like having a bucket of cold water poured over him, but of having a lump of ice travelling over his tongue all the way down to his gut. It was a sensation that left even his heart feeling frozen cold.

_{This sudden change in topic was too abrupt, causing a blank expression to form on Xiao Ning's face and him having no idea what to say.}Shan Haiming and I were friends, right? So it was quite natural for me to not want him to pay me, right? Shan Haiming had never mentioned it for a good while now, so why would he suddenly bring it up? Is he... is he just someone who keeps his word? Even if it's friends, it's normal to want to settle accounts clearly, isn't it?

This sudden change in topic was too abrupt, causing a blank expression to form on Xiao Ning's face and him having no idea what to say.

_{Xiao Ning instantly froze.}"You're back?" Shan Haiming moved his long legs and relaxed his arms, giving Xiaohei just the chance it needed to launch a hurried escape to its master. "How can your cat seem so much like a dog?"

Xiao Ning instantly froze.

_{Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.}
Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.

Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.

_{A wave of dejection and self-loathing flooded him, and in an instant, he found everything was uninteresting. From that moment onwards, he did not again mutter a word. Like this, he sat on the sofa idling away until it was almost midnight. The basketball game was finished by then, and Shan Haiming put down the remote and took out his phone. "I'm not driving, come pick me up."}Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."

A wave of dejection and self-loathing flooded him, and in an instant, he found everything was uninteresting. From that moment onwards, he did not again mutter a word. Like this, he sat on the sofa idling away until it was almost midnight. The basketball game was finished by then, and Shan Haiming put down the remote and took out his phone. "I'm not driving, come pick me up."

_{Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"}Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."

Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"

_{"Because it looks like you're having a hard time holding yourself back." Shan Haiming pointed to Xiaohei. "Looks like a pet really does take after their master, hm?"}But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

"Because it looks like you're having a hard time holding yourself back." Shan Haiming pointed to Xiaohei. "Looks like a pet really does take after their master, hm?"

_{He was lounging on the sofa, a hand petting Xiaohei on the head, and on the coffee table beside him, were drinks and food. He seemed to have made himself at home. Xiaohei tried to run away a few times but was held so firmly by him it could only nurse its grievances and stay on that detestable human's body wearing a face completely covered in displeasure.}
And it was a skill he had learned well.

He was lounging on the sofa, a hand petting Xiaohei on the head, and on the coffee table beside him, were drinks and food. He seemed to have made himself at home. Xiaohei tried to run away a few times but was held so firmly by him it could only nurse its grievances and stay on that detestable human's body wearing a face completely covered in displeasure.

_{But Shan Haiming replied, "There's no need for that, Wang Hua will be here any minute."}Shan Haiming propped himself up. "So... did you run into Zixin?"

But Shan Haiming replied, "There's no need for that, Wang Hua will be here any minute."

_{His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?}
"Are you making soup?" Shan Haiming rested his chin on his hand. "Bitter gourd?"

His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?

_{Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?.}Xiao Ning couldn't sleep. Sitting up, he began typing a message: Just forget about the money, okay? There's no need.

Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?

_{Xiao Ning instantly froze.}"Yeah, it's not bad." Xiao Ning nodded then realised, "How do you know?"

Xiao Ning instantly froze.

_{Shan Haiming leaned back on the sofa, lowering his head in a nod he gave an impatient hum and said nothing more.}Seeing this, Xiao Ning's mood had also improved considerably, and that earlier depressed feeling had left him for the most part.

Shan Haiming leaned back on the sofa, lowering his head in a nod he gave an impatient hum and said nothing more.

_{Shan Haiming propped himself up. "So... did you run into Zixin?"}
"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.

Shan Haiming propped himself up. "So... did you run into Zixin?"

_{But Shan Haiming replied, "There's no need for that, Wang Hua will be here any minute."}But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

But Shan Haiming replied, "There's no need for that, Wang Hua will be here any minute."

_{"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."}Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."

"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

_{"Plans?" Xiao Ning's scattered thoughts were brought back by this question.}
"Oh." Shan Haiming watched him walk a bit closer then walk a bit further away. "You're not going to ask?"

"Plans?" Xiao Ning's scattered thoughts were brought back by this question.

_{Seeing this, Xiao Ning's mood had also improved considerably, and that earlier depressed feeling had left him for the most part.}In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.

Seeing this, Xiao Ning's mood had also improved considerably, and that earlier depressed feeling had left him for the most part.

_{Xiao Ning knitted his brows as he carefully tried to identify the source of that massive sense of loss he was feeling.}Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.

Xiao Ning knitted his brows as he carefully tried to identify the source of that massive sense of loss he was feeling.

_{After work, Xiao Ning found himself inexplicably resistant to the idea of heading home immediately after work, so he went straight to the supermarket. While looking up ingredients online, he picked them up to buy them. He was planning on making a pot of lotus leaf and winter melon duck soup, but once he saw the bitter gourd, all of a sudden, he changed his mind.}"C-City, right?" Shan Haiming then added, "It's a nice place."

After work, Xiao Ning found himself inexplicably resistant to the idea of heading home immediately after work, so he went straight to the supermarket. While looking up ingredients online, he picked them up to buy them. He was planning on making a pot of lotus leaf and winter melon duck soup, but once he saw the bitter gourd, all of a sudden, he changed his mind.

_{That version wasn't sent either.}
Xiao Ning froze, stopping dead in his tracks while walking towards the kitchen. "Ask what?"

That version wasn't sent either.

_{Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.}But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.

_{Xiao Ning lifted his head and smiled at him, not saying anything further as he entered the kitchen, spending a good bit of time in there before he came back out. While sitting in the living room, neither of the two spoke a word. Xiao Ning leaned back on the sofa uncomfortably before he went on to ask, "Have you fixed the locked door situation?"}
"Because it looks like you're having a hard time holding yourself back." Shan Haiming pointed to Xiaohei. "Looks like a pet really does take after their master, hm?"

Xiao Ning lifted his head and smiled at him, not saying anything further as he entered the kitchen, spending a good bit of time in there before he came back out. While sitting in the living room, neither of the two spoke a word. Xiao Ning leaned back on the sofa uncomfortably before he went on to ask, "Have you fixed the locked door situation?"

_{Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.}
Xiao Ning looked at his pet, baffled, then returned his gaze to Shan Haiming, obviously oblivious to what the other meant.

Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.

_{Shan Haiming and I were friends, right? So it was quite natural for me to not want him to pay me, right? Shan Haiming had never mentioned it for a good while now, so why would he suddenly bring it up? Is he... is he just someone who keeps his word? Even if it's friends, it's normal to want to settle accounts clearly, isn't it?}
Shan Haiming propped himself up. "So... did you run into Zixin?"

Shan Haiming and I were friends, right? So it was quite natural for me to not want him to pay me, right? Shan Haiming had never mentioned it for a good while now, so why would he suddenly bring it up? Is he... is he just someone who keeps his word? Even if it's friends, it's normal to want to settle accounts clearly, isn't it?

_{"You're back?" Shan Haiming moved his long legs and relaxed his arms, giving Xiaohei just the chance it needed to launch a hurried escape to its master. "How can your cat seem so much like a dog?"}Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."

"You're back?" Shan Haiming moved his long legs and relaxed his arms, giving Xiaohei just the chance it needed to launch a hurried escape to its master. "How can your cat seem so much like a dog?"

_{His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. {Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?}}"I'm planning to go back to my home town for a visit," he replied.

His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?

_{Seeing this, Xiao Ning's mood had also improved considerably, and that earlier depressed feeling had left him for the most part.}
Xiao Ning immediately explained while keeping his words neutral. "Ye Zixin was waiting for you at your door and I thought it would be terrible to just let a young woman stay squatting in front of the door."

Seeing this, Xiao Ning's mood had also improved considerably, and that earlier depressed feeling had left him for the most part.

_{His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. {Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?}}"You're going out now?" Xiao Ning finally found found something to do. "You still have to go entertaining clients this late?"

His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?

_{"Oh, okay..." Xiao Ning couldn't come up with anything to say.}
"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."

"Oh, okay..." Xiao Ning couldn't come up with anything to say.

_{Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."}"Did you forget?" Shan Haiming used his finger to tap Xiao Ning's forehead. "Your salary is paid by the hour, so I should pay the bill."

Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."

_{Xiao Ning froze, stopping dead in his tracks while walking towards the kitchen. "Ask what?"}
Xiao Ning's gaze now fell on the floor boards, but fortunately, Xiaohei was still by his feet, allowing his actions to not appear too strange. "Oh, okay. But you really don't have to explain it to me."

Xiao Ning froze, stopping dead in his tracks while walking towards the kitchen. "Ask what?"

_{Xiao Ning knitted his brows as he carefully tried to identify the source of that massive sense of loss he was feeling.}Xiao Ning's gaze now fell on the floor boards, but fortunately, Xiaohei was still by his feet, allowing his actions to not appear too strange. "Oh, okay. But you really don't have to explain it to me."

Xiao Ning knitted his brows as he carefully tried to identify the source of that massive sense of loss he was feeling.

_{"Because it looks like you're having a hard time holding yourself back." Shan Haiming pointed to Xiaohei. "Looks like a pet really does take after their master, hm?"}Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."

"Because it looks like you're having a hard time holding yourself back." Shan Haiming pointed to Xiaohei. "Looks like a pet really does take after their master, hm?"

_{Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."}
"I guess so." Shan Haiming's voice was blank, making it impossible to detect his emotions. "But I thought you wanted to know."

Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."

_{Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.}"Don't forget to send it to me." With that, Shan Haiming was gone.

Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.

_{'Forget it. Forget it...'}
Xiao Ning lifted his head and smiled at him, not saying anything further as he entered the kitchen, spending a good bit of time in there before he came back out. While sitting in the living room, neither of the two spoke a word. Xiao Ning leaned back on the sofa uncomfortably before he went on to ask, "Have you fixed the locked door situation?"

'Forget it. Forget it...'

_{But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.}"C-City, right?" Shan Haiming then added, "It's a nice place."

But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

_{After saying this, he did not wait for Shan Haiming to refuse and went straight to the kitchen to open the electric cooker. The soup had been cooking for ninety percent of its total time, so the scent of the bitter gourd melded with the flavour of the spareribs was delectably rich, enough to fill someone with satisfaction and reinvigorate their soul.}
"I found a locksmith to come open it." Shan Haiming picked up the remote control, he seemed bored. "I already fed Xiaohei, by the way."

After saying this, he did not wait for Shan Haiming to refuse and went straight to the kitchen to open the electric cooker. The soup had been cooking for ninety percent of its total time, so the scent of the bitter gourd melded with the flavour of the spareribs was delectably rich, enough to fill someone with satisfaction and reinvigorate their soul. Taking a bowl, he scooped out a serving, and then placed it before Shan Haiming.

_{Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."}But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset. Like this, the actions of others will never go over what he had budgeted, so how could he ever feel aggrieved?

Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."

_{After letting out a brief "oh," Xiao Ning felt his stomach knot slightly, unable to resist the urge to turn and face Shan Haiming, and not knowing whether there was some underlying subtext in such a question. But, of course, there was more of a possibility that it was just something Shan Haiming was asking casually, and with the Labour Day holiday soon arriving, it was normal for everyone to have plans.}
"Oh, okay..." Xiao Ning couldn't come up with anything to say.

After letting out a brief "oh," Xiao Ning felt his stomach knot slightly, unable to resist the urge to turn and face Shan Haiming, and not knowing whether there was some underlying subtext in such a question. But, of course, there was more of a possibility that it was just something Shan Haiming was asking casually, and with the Labour Day holiday soon arriving, it was normal for everyone to have plans.

_{After saying this, he did not wait for Shan Haiming to refuse and went straight to the kitchen to open the electric cooker. The soup had been cooking for ninety percent of its total time, so the scent of the bitter gourd melded with the flavour of the spareribs was delectably rich, enough to fill someone with satisfaction and reinvigorate their soul.}That version wasn't sent either.

After saying this, he did not wait for Shan Haiming to refuse and went straight to the kitchen to open the electric cooker. The soup had been cooking for ninety percent of its total time, so the scent of the bitter gourd melded with the flavour of the spareribs was delectably rich, enough to fill someone with satisfaction and reinvigorate their soul. Taking a bowl, he scooped out a serving, and then placed it before Shan Haiming.

_{When he took back the bowl, Wang Hua had arrived and was downstairs waiting for Shan Haiming, so Xiao Ning then walked him to the door. "Be careful on the road."}"Yeah, it's not bad." Xiao Ning nodded then realised, "How do you know?"

When he took back the bowl, Wang Hua had arrived and was downstairs waiting for Shan Haiming, so Xiao Ning then walked him to the door. "Be careful on the road."

_{{Did Ye Zixin leave?}}A wave of dejection and self-loathing flooded him, and in an instant, he found everything was uninteresting. From that moment onwards, he did not again mutter a word. Like this, he sat on the sofa idling away until it was almost midnight. The basketball game was finished by then, and Shan Haiming put down the remote and took out his phone. "I'm not driving, come pick me up."

Did Ye Zixin leave?

_{Xiao Ning knitted his brows as he carefully tried to identify the source of that massive sense of loss he was feeling.}
Shan Haiming changed the channel. "Labour Day plans."

Xiao Ning knitted his brows as he carefully tried to identify the source of that massive sense of loss he was feeling.

_{In the end, bitter gourd, spareribs, and some other ingredients were in the bag he carried back to his apartment.}
"Plans?" Xiao Ning's scattered thoughts were brought back by this question.

In the end, bitter gourd, spareribs, and some other ingredients were in the bag he carried back to his apartment.

_{Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.}But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset. Like this, the actions of others will never go over what he had budgeted, so how could he ever feel aggrieved?

Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.

_{Xiao Ning's gaze now fell on the floor boards, but fortunately, Xiaohei was still by his feet, allowing his actions to not appear too strange. "Oh, okay. But you really don't have to explain it to me."}After letting out a brief "oh," Xiao Ning felt his stomach knot slightly, unable to resist the urge to turn and face Shan Haiming, and not knowing whether there was some underlying subtext in such a question. But, of course, there was more of a possibility that it was just something Shan Haiming was asking casually, and with the Labour Day holiday soon arriving, it was normal for everyone to have plans.

Xiao Ning's gaze now fell on the floor boards, but fortunately, Xiaohei was still by his feet, allowing his actions to not appear too strange. "Oh, okay. But you really don't have to explain it to me."

_{Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.}N/A

Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.

_{"I guess so." Shan Haiming's voice was blank, making it impossible to detect his emotions. "But I thought you wanted to know."}
Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"

"I guess so." Shan Haiming's voice was blank, making it impossible to detect his emotions. "But I thought you wanted to know."

_{But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.}Xiao Ning's mouth fell open as he almost agreed to Shan Haiming without thinking. But he was going back with Lu Yan. Even if his going there with Lu Yan was just incidental, how could he bring along Shan Haiming?

But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

_{For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.}
After letting out a brief "oh," Xiao Ning felt his stomach knot slightly, unable to resist the urge to turn and face Shan Haiming, and not knowing whether there was some underlying subtext in such a question. But, of course, there was more of a possibility that it was just something Shan Haiming was asking casually, and with the Labour Day holiday soon arriving, it was normal for everyone to have plans.

For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.

_{Xiao Ning's mouth fell open as he almost agreed to Shan Haiming without thinking. But he was going back with Lu Yan. Even if his going there with Lu Yan was just incidental, how could he bring along Shan Haiming?}
"I'm planning to go back to my home town for a visit," he replied.

Xiao Ning's mouth fell open as he almost agreed to Shan Haiming without thinking. But he was going back with Lu Yan. Even if his going there with Lu Yan was just incidental, how could he bring along Shan Haiming?

_{Xiao Ning immediately explained while keeping his words neutral. "Ye Zixin was waiting for you at your door and I thought it would be terrible to just let a young woman stay squatting in front of the door."}
"C-City, right?" Shan Haiming then added, "It's a nice place."

Xiao Ning immediately explained while keeping his words neutral. "Ye Zixin was waiting for you at your door and I thought it would be terrible to just let a young woman stay squatting in front of the door."

_{When he took back the bowl, Wang Hua had arrived and was downstairs waiting for Shan Haiming, so Xiao Ning then walked him to the door. "Be careful on the road."}
"Yeah, it's not bad." Xiao Ning nodded then realised, "How do you know?"

When he took back the bowl, Wang Hua had arrived and was downstairs waiting for Shan Haiming, so Xiao Ning then walked him to the door. "Be careful on the road."

_{Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.}But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset. Like this, the actions of others will never go over what he had budgeted, so how could he ever feel aggrieved?

Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.

_{Xiao Ning instantly froze.}"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

Xiao Ning instantly froze.

_{Shan Haiming hadn't done anything wrong, this matter was something he had agreed to earlier. He would pretend to be his boyfriend, and for that Shan Haiming would pay him. Yes, that was right. It was all to help him solve that problem from the beginning.}Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.

Shan Haiming hadn't done anything wrong, this matter was something he had agreed to earlier. He would pretend to be his boyfriend, and for that Shan Haiming would pay him. Yes, that was right. It was all to help him solve that problem from the beginning.

_{Xiao Ning looked at his pet, baffled, then returned his gaze to Shan Haiming, obviously oblivious to what the other meant.}
Shan Haiming's head shook, whether it was a nod or no was uncertain. "So you're going back to visit the family that sponsored you? C-City is pretty nice, I can buy a couple of tickets and go see it with you."

Xiao Ning looked at his pet, baffled, then returned his gaze to Shan Haiming, obviously oblivious to what the other meant.

_{"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."}
Xiao Ning's mouth fell open as he almost agreed to Shan Haiming without thinking. But he was going back with Lu Yan. Even if his going there with Lu Yan was just incidental, how could he bring along Shan Haiming?

"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

_{Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."}Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?

Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."

_{Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.}
Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."

Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.

_{There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.}His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?

There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.

_{Bitter Gourd Soup}
Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.

Bitter Gourd Soup

_{"Because it looks like you're having a hard time holding yourself back." Shan Haiming pointed to Xiaohei. "Looks like a pet really does take after their master, hm?"}
'Forget it. Forget it...'

"Because it looks like you're having a hard time holding yourself back." Shan Haiming pointed to Xiaohei. "Looks like a pet really does take after their master, hm?"

_{But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset.}But Shan Haiming replied, "There's no need for that, Wang Hua will be here any minute."

But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset. Like this, the actions of others will never go over what he had budgeted, so how could he ever feel aggrieved?

_{Xiao Ning's mouth fell open as he almost agreed to Shan Haiming without thinking. But he was going back with Lu Yan. Even if his going there with Lu Yan was just incidental, how could he bring along Shan Haiming?}After saying this, he did not wait for Shan Haiming to refuse and went straight to the kitchen to open the electric cooker. The soup had been cooking for ninety percent of its total time, so the scent of the bitter gourd melded with the flavour of the spareribs was delectably rich, enough to fill someone with satisfaction and reinvigorate their soul. Taking a bowl, he scooped out a serving, and then placed it before Shan Haiming.

Xiao Ning's mouth fell open as he almost agreed to Shan Haiming without thinking. But he was going back with Lu Yan. Even if his going there with Lu Yan was just incidental, how could he bring along Shan Haiming?

_{But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset.}There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.

But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset. Like this, the actions of others will never go over what he had budgeted, so how could he ever feel aggrieved?

_N/A
A wave of dejection and self-loathing flooded him, and in an instant, he found everything was uninteresting. From that moment onwards, he did not again mutter a word. Like this, he sat on the sofa idling away until it was almost midnight. The basketball game was finished by then, and Shan Haiming put down the remote and took out his phone. "I'm not driving, come pick me up."

N/A

_{"Are you making soup?" Shan Haiming rested his chin on his hand. "Bitter gourd?"}
"You're going out now?" Xiao Ning finally found found something to do. "You still have to go entertaining clients this late?"

"Are you making soup?" Shan Haiming rested his chin on his hand. "Bitter gourd?"

_{Xiao Ning lifted his head and smiled at him, not saying anything further as he entered the kitchen, spending a good bit of time in there before he came back out. While sitting in the living room, neither of the two spoke a word. Xiao Ning leaned back on the sofa uncomfortably before he went on to ask, "Have you fixed the locked door situation?"}Xiao Ning lifted his head and smiled at him, not saying anything further as he entered the kitchen, spending a good bit of time in there before he came back out. While sitting in the living room, neither of the two spoke a word. Xiao Ning leaned back on the sofa uncomfortably before he went on to ask, "Have you fixed the locked door situation?"

Xiao Ning lifted his head and smiled at him, not saying anything further as he entered the kitchen, spending a good bit of time in there before he came back out. While sitting in the living room, neither of the two spoke a word. Xiao Ning leaned back on the sofa uncomfortably before he went on to ask, "Have you fixed the locked door situation?"

_{"Oh." Shan Haiming watched him walk a bit closer then walk a bit further away. "You're not going to ask?"}
Shan Haiming leaned back on the sofa, lowering his head in a nod he gave an impatient hum and said nothing more.

"Oh." Shan Haiming watched him walk a bit closer then walk a bit further away. "You're not going to ask?"

_{"Did you not go anywhere else today?" Xiao Ning teased Xiaohei while glancing around the living room. {Well, there doesn't seem to be anything broken, and it looks pretty clean. Maybe there wasn't any intense clashing.}}"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

"Did you not go anywhere else today?" Xiao Ning teased Xiaohei while glancing around the living room. Well, there doesn't seem to be anything broken, and it looks pretty clean. Maybe there wasn't any intense clashing.

_{"You're going out now?" Xiao Ning finally found found something to do. "You still have to go entertaining clients this late?"}Shan Haiming propped himself up. "So... did you run into Zixin?"

"You're going out now?" Xiao Ning finally found found something to do. "You still have to go entertaining clients this late?"

_{"Did you forget?" Shan Haiming used his finger to tap Xiao Ning's forehead. "Your salary is paid by the hour, so I should pay the bill."}
Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."

"Did you forget?" Shan Haiming used his finger to tap Xiao Ning's forehead. "Your salary is paid by the hour, so I should pay the bill."

_{"Yeah, it's not bad." Xiao Ning nodded then realised, "How do you know?"}Xiao Ning immediately explained while keeping his words neutral. "Ye Zixin was waiting for you at your door and I thought it would be terrible to just let a young woman stay squatting in front of the door."

"Yeah, it's not bad." Xiao Ning nodded then realised, "How do you know?"

_{{'Forget it. Forget it...'}}Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.

'Forget it. Forget it...'

_{This sudden change in topic was too abrupt, causing a blank expression to form on Xiao Ning's face and him having no idea what to say.}
But Shan Haiming replied, "There's no need for that, Wang Hua will be here any minute."

This sudden change in topic was too abrupt, causing a blank expression to form on Xiao Ning's face and him having no idea what to say.

_{Shan Haiming leaned back on the sofa, lowering his head in a nod he gave an impatient hum and said nothing more.}He was lounging on the sofa, a hand petting Xiaohei on the head, and on the coffee table beside him, were drinks and food. He seemed to have made himself at home. Xiaohei tried to run away a few times but was held so firmly by him it could only nurse its grievances and stay on that detestable human's body wearing a face completely covered in displeasure.

Shan Haiming leaned back on the sofa, lowering his head in a nod he gave an impatient hum and said nothing more.

_{In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.}Xiao Ning couldn't sleep. Sitting up, he began typing a message: Just forget about the money, okay? There's no need.

In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.

_{But Shan Haiming replied, "There's no need for that, Wang Hua will be here any minute."}
Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."

But Shan Haiming replied, "There's no need for that, Wang Hua will be here any minute."

_{"Oh." Shan Haiming watched him walk a bit closer then walk a bit further away. "You're not going to ask?"}Xiao Ning obviously didn't ask this out loud. Living with Lu Yan and having spent his early years living in other people's homes had taught him from an early age what should and shouldn't said, it was the most basic skill in how to not make oneself a nuisance.

"Oh." Shan Haiming watched him walk a bit closer then walk a bit further away. "You're not going to ask?"

_{There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.}
After saying this, he did not wait for Shan Haiming to refuse and went straight to the kitchen to open the electric cooker. The soup had been cooking for ninety percent of its total time, so the scent of the bitter gourd melded with the flavour of the spareribs was delectably rich, enough to fill someone with satisfaction and reinvigorate their soul. Taking a bowl, he scooped out a serving, and then placed it before Shan Haiming.

There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.

_{Xiao Ning's gaze now fell on the floor boards, but fortunately, Xiaohei was still by his feet, allowing his actions to not appear too strange. "Oh, okay. But you really don't have to explain it to me."}In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.

Xiao Ning's gaze now fell on the floor boards, but fortunately, Xiaohei was still by his feet, allowing his actions to not appear too strange. "Oh, okay. But you really don't have to explain it to me."

_{Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"}
For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.

Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"

_{Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.}N/A

Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.

_{"I found a locksmith to come open it." Shan Haiming picked up the remote control, he seemed bored. "I already fed Xiaohei, by the way."}
Seeing this, Xiao Ning's mood had also improved considerably, and that earlier depressed feeling had left him for the most part.

"I found a locksmith to come open it." Shan Haiming picked up the remote control, he seemed bored. "I already fed Xiaohei, by the way."

_{"I found a locksmith to come open it." Shan Haiming picked up the remote control, he seemed bored. "I already fed Xiaohei, by the way."}But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

"I found a locksmith to come open it." Shan Haiming picked up the remote control, he seemed bored. "I already fed Xiaohei, by the way."

_{"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."}"Because it looks like you're having a hard time holding yourself back." Shan Haiming pointed to Xiaohei. "Looks like a pet really does take after their master, hm?"

"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."

_{Xiao Ning's gaze now fell on the floor boards, but fortunately, Xiaohei was still by his feet, allowing his actions to not appear too strange. "Oh, okay. But you really don't have to explain it to me."}
When he took back the bowl, Wang Hua had arrived and was downstairs waiting for Shan Haiming, so Xiao Ning then walked him to the door. "Be careful on the road."

Xiao Ning's gaze now fell on the floor boards, but fortunately, Xiaohei was still by his feet, allowing his actions to not appear too strange. "Oh, okay. But you really don't have to explain it to me."

_{Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."}Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."

_{{Did Ye Zixin leave?}}Seeing this, Xiao Ning's mood had also improved considerably, and that earlier depressed feeling had left him for the most part.

Did Ye Zixin leave?

_{But after reading it over, it was changed to: We're all friends here, so there's really no need to pay.}
"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

But after reading it over, it was changed to: We're all friends here, so there's really no need to pay.

_{"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."}But after reading it over, it was changed to: We're all friends here, so there's really no need to pay.

"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

_{{Shan Haiming and I were friends, right? So it was quite natural for me to not want him to pay me, right? Shan Haiming had never mentioned it for a good while now, so why would he suddenly bring it up? Is he... is he just someone who keeps his word? Even if it's friends, it's normal to want to settle accounts clearly, isn't it?}}Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.

Shan Haiming and I were friends, right? So it was quite natural for me to not want him to pay me, right? Shan Haiming had never mentioned it for a good while now, so why would he suddenly bring it up? Is he... is he just someone who keeps his word? Even if it's friends, it's normal to want to settle accounts clearly, isn't it?

_{Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."}Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."

Hearing this, Xiao Ning stood in place for a moment, but he then insisted, "No, you should have some."

_{Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."}
This sudden change in topic was too abrupt, causing a blank expression to form on Xiao Ning's face and him having no idea what to say.

Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."

_{"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."}When he took back the bowl, Wang Hua had arrived and was downstairs waiting for Shan Haiming, so Xiao Ning then walked him to the door. "Be careful on the road."

"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

_{Shan Haiming changed the channel. "Labour Day plans."}Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.

Shan Haiming changed the channel. "Labour Day plans."

_{"Did you not go anywhere else today?" Xiao Ning teased Xiaohei while glancing around the living room. Well, there doesn't seem to be anything broken, and it looks pretty clean. Maybe there wasn't any intense clashing.}
"Did you forget?" Shan Haiming used his finger to tap Xiao Ning's forehead. "Your salary is paid by the hour, so I should pay the bill."

"Did you not go anywhere else today?" Xiao Ning teased Xiaohei while glancing around the living room. Well, there doesn't seem to be anything broken, and it looks pretty clean. Maybe there wasn't any intense clashing.

_{There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.}Shan Haiming's head shook, whether it was a nod or no was uncertain. "So you're going back to visit the family that sponsored you? C-City is pretty nice, I can buy a couple of tickets and go see it with you."

There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.

_{But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.}
Xiao Ning instantly froze.

But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

_{"Did you forget?" Shan Haiming used his finger to tap Xiao Ning's forehead. "Your salary is paid by the hour, so I should pay the bill."}Xiao Ning instantly froze.

"Did you forget?" Shan Haiming used his finger to tap Xiao Ning's forehead. "Your salary is paid by the hour, so I should pay the bill."

_{People with an O blood type like following the rules and love getting to the bottom of things. So, while in bed, Xiao Ning tossed and turned while his chest felt all stuffy, unable to sleep a wink. It was the first time he found himself conflicted to such a terrible degree.}
"Don't forget to send it to me." With that, Shan Haiming was gone.

People with an O blood type like following the rules and love getting to the bottom of things. So, while in bed, Xiao Ning tossed and turned while his chest felt all stuffy, unable to sleep a wink. It was the first time he found himself conflicted to such a terrible degree.

_{For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.}After work, Xiao Ning found himself inexplicably resistant to the idea of heading home immediately after work, so he went straight to the supermarket. While looking up ingredients online, he picked them up to buy them. He was planning on making a pot of lotus leaf and winter melon duck soup, but once he saw the bitter gourd, all of a sudden, he changed his mind.

For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.

_{"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."}But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset. Like this, the actions of others will never go over what he had budgeted, so how could he ever feel aggrieved?

"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."

_{But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.}Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"

But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

_{Xiao Ning instantly froze.}
Xiao Ning still stood there, his eyes fixed on that now empty hallway. The sensation overwhelming him was not at all like having a bucket of cold water poured over him, but of having a lump of ice travelling over his tongue all the way down to his gut. It was a sensation that left even his heart feeling frozen cold.

Xiao Ning instantly froze.

_{When he took back the bowl, Wang Hua had arrived and was downstairs waiting for Shan Haiming, so Xiao Ning then walked him to the door. "Be careful on the road."}Xiao Ning immediately explained while keeping his words neutral. "Ye Zixin was waiting for you at your door and I thought it would be terrible to just let a young woman stay squatting in front of the door."

When he took back the bowl, Wang Hua had arrived and was downstairs waiting for Shan Haiming, so Xiao Ning then walked him to the door. "Be careful on the road."

_{Shan Haiming leaned back on the sofa, lowering his head in a nod he gave an impatient hum and said nothing more.}
But even when facing Lu Yan, or when he was slapped by Xia Li, Xiao Ning never felt as though he was wronged in the end, because feeling wronged required not getting the treatment you deserved. Xiao Ning never held hopes of himself being treated above average, he weighed and calculated his place in others' hearts and deduced the level of treatment from the onset. Like this, the actions of others will never go over what he had budgeted, so how could he ever feel aggrieved?

Shan Haiming leaned back on the sofa, lowering his head in a nod he gave an impatient hum and said nothing more.

_{Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."}Xiao Ning instantly froze.

Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."

_{"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."}
But Xiao Ning couldn't understand why he currently felt as though he was wronged.

"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."

_{Xiao Ning still stood there, his eyes fixed on that now empty hallway. The sensation overwhelming him was not at all like having a bucket of cold water poured over him, but of having a lump of ice travelling over his tongue all the way down to his gut. It was a sensation that left even his heart feeling frozen cold.}"Yeah, it's not bad." Xiao Ning nodded then realised, "How do you know?"

Xiao Ning still stood there, his eyes fixed on that now empty hallway. The sensation overwhelming him was not at all like having a bucket of cold water poured over him, but of having a lump of ice travelling over his tongue all the way down to his gut. It was a sensation that left even his heart feeling frozen cold.

_{Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?.}
Shan Haiming hadn't done anything wrong, this matter was something he had agreed to earlier. He would pretend to be his boyfriend, and for that Shan Haiming would pay him. Yes, that was right. It was all to help him solve that problem from the beginning.

Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?

_{Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.}"Did you not go anywhere else today?" Xiao Ning teased Xiaohei while glancing around the living room. Well, there doesn't seem to be anything broken, and it looks pretty clean. Maybe there wasn't any intense clashing.

Xiao Ning's mouth closed in disappointment. At times like these, he truly did detest that character of his which could never be straightforward. Even with such a trivial matter, he had to overcautiously think about everything into oblivion only to be indecisive in the end. Forget about others, even he couldn't stand the sight of himself.

_{"You're back?" Shan Haiming moved his long legs and relaxed his arms, giving Xiaohei just the chance it needed to launch a hurried escape to its master. "How can your cat seem so much like a dog?"}
Xiao Ning knitted his brows as he carefully tried to identify the source of that massive sense of loss he was feeling.

"You're back?" Shan Haiming moved his long legs and relaxed his arms, giving Xiaohei just the chance it needed to launch a hurried escape to its master. "How can your cat seem so much like a dog?"

_{"Yeah, it's not bad." Xiao Ning nodded then realised, "How do you know?"}
Shan Haiming and I were friends, right? So it was quite natural for me to not want him to pay me, right? Shan Haiming had never mentioned it for a good while now, so why would he suddenly bring it up? Is he... is he just someone who keeps his word? Even if it's friends, it's normal to want to settle accounts clearly, isn't it?

"Yeah, it's not bad." Xiao Ning nodded then realised, "How do you know?"

_{In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.}"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.

In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.

_{Shan Haiming changed the channel. "Labour Day plans."}
His mind was going crazy to find a reason, but it could find none. His reaction to this matter was far too odd and far too big. Not knowing the reason for the matter always meant there were unclear and unknown feelings at play. Are there any hard-to-explain feelings between me and Shan Haiming?

Shan Haiming changed the channel. "Labour Day plans."

_{Shan Haiming changed the channel. "Labour Day plans."}Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"

Shan Haiming changed the channel. "Labour Day plans."

_{"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.}
Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?

"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.

_{"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.}In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.

"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.

_{Xiao Ning froze, stopping dead in his tracks while walking towards the kitchen. "Ask what?"}Xiao Ning looked at his pet, baffled, then returned his gaze to Shan Haiming, obviously oblivious to what the other meant.

Xiao Ning froze, stopping dead in his tracks while walking towards the kitchen. "Ask what?"

_{Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"}Shan Haiming hadn't done anything wrong, this matter was something he had agreed to earlier. He would pretend to be his boyfriend, and for that Shan Haiming would pay him. Yes, that was right. It was all to help him solve that problem from the beginning.

Shan Haiming, not seeming to care, then asked, "Yes, what are they?"

_{A wave of dejection and self-loathing flooded him, and in an instant, he found everything was uninteresting. From that moment onwards, he did not again mutter a word. Like this, he sat on the sofa idling away until it was almost midnight. The basketball game was finished by then, and Shan Haiming put down the remote and took out his phone. "I'm not driving, come pick me up."}
People with an O blood type like following the rules and love getting to the bottom of things. So, while in bed, Xiao Ning tossed and turned while his chest felt all stuffy, unable to sleep a wink. It was the first time he found himself conflicted to such a terrible degree.

A wave of dejection and self-loathing flooded him, and in an instant, he found everything was uninteresting. From that moment onwards, he did not again mutter a word. Like this, he sat on the sofa idling away until it was almost midnight. The basketball game was finished by then, and Shan Haiming put down the remote and took out his phone. "I'm not driving, come pick me up."

_{He was lounging on the sofa, a hand petting Xiaohei on the head, and on the coffee table beside him, were drinks and food. He seemed to have made himself at home. Xiaohei tried to run away a few times but was held so firmly by him it could only nurse its grievances and stay on that detestable human's body wearing a face completely covered in displeasure.}Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?

He was lounging on the sofa, a hand petting Xiaohei on the head, and on the coffee table beside him, were drinks and food. He seemed to have made himself at home. Xiaohei tried to run away a few times but was held so firmly by him it could only nurse its grievances and stay on that detestable human's body wearing a face completely covered in displeasure.

_{Shan Haiming's head shook, whether it was a nod or no was uncertain. "So you're going back to visit the family that sponsored you? C-City is pretty nice, I can buy a couple of tickets and go see it with you."}
There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.

Shan Haiming's head shook, whether it was a nod or no was uncertain. "So you're going back to visit the family that sponsored you? C-City is pretty nice, I can buy a couple of tickets and go see it with you."

_{Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."}"I'm planning to go back to my home town for a visit," he replied.

Seeing him take so long to reply, Shan Haiming then added simply, "Never mind. Forget it."

_{"I'm planning to go back to my home town for a visit," he replied.}
Xiao Ning couldn't sleep. Sitting up, he began typing a message: Just forget about the money, okay? There's no need.

"I'm planning to go back to my home town for a visit," he replied.

_{After work, Xiao Ning found himself inexplicably resistant to the idea of heading home immediately after work, so he went straight to the supermarket. While looking up ingredients online, he picked them up to buy them. He was planning on making a pot of lotus leaf and winter melon duck soup, but once he saw the bitter gourd, all of a sudden, he changed his mind.}"It's to relieve internal heat," Xiao Ning answered simply.

After work, Xiao Ning found himself inexplicably resistant to the idea of heading home immediately after work, so he went straight to the supermarket. While looking up ingredients online, he picked them up to buy them. He was planning on making a pot of lotus leaf and winter melon duck soup, but once he saw the bitter gourd, all of a sudden, he changed his mind.

_{"I found a locksmith to come open it." Shan Haiming picked up the remote control, he seemed bored. "I already fed Xiaohei, by the way."}Xiao Ning still stood there, his eyes fixed on that now empty hallway. The sensation overwhelming him was not at all like having a bucket of cold water poured over him, but of having a lump of ice travelling over his tongue all the way down to his gut. It was a sensation that left even his heart feeling frozen cold.

"I found a locksmith to come open it." Shan Haiming picked up the remote control, he seemed bored. "I already fed Xiaohei, by the way."

_{That version wasn't sent either.}After letting out a brief "oh," Xiao Ning felt his stomach knot slightly, unable to resist the urge to turn and face Shan Haiming, and not knowing whether there was some underlying subtext in such a question. But, of course, there was more of a possibility that it was just something Shan Haiming was asking casually, and with the Labour Day holiday soon arriving, it was normal for everyone to have plans.

That version wasn't sent either.

_N/A
But after reading it over, it was changed to: We're all friends here, so there's really no need to pay.

N/A

_{"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."}There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.

"It was nothing, really. She just refuses to believe anything." Shan Haiming shrugged. "Zixin grew up being spoiled a lot, so when she gets an idea in her head she's always been incredibly stubborn."

_{In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.}
That version wasn't sent either.

In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.

_{For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.}Shan Haiming's head shook, whether it was a nod or no was uncertain. "So you're going back to visit the family that sponsored you? C-City is pretty nice, I can buy a couple of tickets and go see it with you."

For some unknown reason, Shan Haiming let out a sigh, yet still picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Regardless of what he said, before heading out in the middle of the night, drinking some just-made soup to completion was still extremely beneficial. After Shan Haiming was done, his complexion really did improve by a lot.

_{Shan Haiming hadn't done anything wrong, this matter was something he had agreed to earlier. He would pretend to be his boyfriend, and for that Shan Haiming would pay him. Yes, that was right. It was all to help him solve that problem from the beginning.}Surprisingly, Shan Haiming was still there in his apartment when he returned, still there and alone.

Shan Haiming hadn't done anything wrong, this matter was something he had agreed to earlier. He would pretend to be his boyfriend, and for that Shan Haiming would pay him. Yes, that was right. It was all to help him solve that problem from the beginning.

_{After letting out a brief "oh," Xiao Ning felt his stomach knot slightly, unable to resist the urge to turn and face Shan Haiming, and not knowing whether there was some underlying subtext in such a question. But, of course, there was more of a possibility that it was just something Shan Haiming was asking casually, and with the Labour Day holiday soon arriving, it was normal for everyone to have plans.}"Wang Hua is the one driving so you should tell that to him," Shan Haiming replied lazily before turning to leave, but he suddenly stopped and added, "Oh right, send me the account number."

After letting out a brief "oh," Xiao Ning felt his stomach knot slightly, unable to resist the urge to turn and face Shan Haiming, and not knowing whether there was some underlying subtext in such a question. But, of course, there was more of a possibility that it was just something Shan Haiming was asking casually, and with the Labour Day holiday soon arriving, it was normal for everyone to have plans.

_{Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."}
In the dark, the light of the phone screen was especially glaring, yet he stared at that screen for a long time before finally sending the message: There's no need to pay, it's not necessary.

Xiao Ning immediately got up. "You should have some soup. No matter what you do this late, you should eat something first so you won't feel uncomfortable."

_{Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?.}There was a very simple explanation for this, however, his inner conflict was caused by a struggle of what he wanted to do versus what he didn't dare do. And when it came to things he wanted to do, in the past, the frequency of such things was not often at all.

Xiao Ning felt his body erupt in a cold sweat. He had just jumped out of Lu Yan's pit, so how could he jump into another one so quickly? Could it be that having spent all those years around Lu Yan had made that guy's habits rub off on him? Did he now have the ability to fall for a person one after another on sight? Or is he only going to like the other, and so long as he can occasionally fantasise about them, will live a contently peaceful life?

---

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

N/A

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